First week of high cholesterol diet and I'm depressed... Seeking advice
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Your medical doctor has a side Amway business?
On the basis of the above datum I would seek a second confirmatory opinion as to the treatment they recommended while also seeking to verify their credentials.
Yep. I had no idea. I found that out during our appointment. She showed me her $46 plant based protein powder (2 scoops = 10g) and said i should take 1 scoop per day. I showed my whey protein from Myprotein, she said its no good because its 1g saturated fat
Not for nothing but I've read that plant protein powder tastes like crap. If the whey is no good then couldnt i just switch to whey isolate instead? That has no sat fat at all in it.
Other than that, do you think the rest of her meal plan is a quack? The major red flags i see are the lack of protein for breakfast and lunch, the weird snack choice, and the restriction from things like fruits, greek yogurt, and low fat cheese.
I would definitely go to another doctor. And 1g of sat fats are fine. The larger concern is fried and processed foods are they lack nutrients. I would look into the Mediterranean Diet. Focusing on lean meats, eggs, whole grains/oats, fruits and veggies (especially avocado), fish, seeds and nuts, and limiting processed foods and you will be in a good position.
Also, how did they determine that you had plague build up? That LDL isn't that high. Do you know how your triglycerides and fasting glucose look?
And no doctor should be pedaling products. They drives a conflict of interest and may not be best for your health.9 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »I would ask for a referral to a licensed dietitian. Most docs have little nutrition knowledge. I would also bring these concerns to the doctor.
This aged well. Time for a new doctor who doesn't peddle crap like a snake oil salesman.6 -
Willpower takes effort and self control. Doctor isn't "making" you adopt this diet but what's the harm in trying? Does not having a cheat meal terrify you?1
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Edited to say that I see it's not genetic. I'd probably at least try her advice, as hard as it may be, for four weeks and see if the numbers go down.0
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Your medical doctor has a side Amway business?
On the basis of the above datum I would seek a second confirmatory opinion as to the treatment they recommended while also seeking to verify their credentials.
Yep. I had no idea. I found that out during our appointment. She showed me her $46 plant based protein powder (2 scoops = 10g) and said i should take 1 scoop per day. I showed my whey protein from Myprotein, she said its no good because its 1g saturated fat
Not for nothing but I've read that plant protein powder tastes like crap. If the whey is no good then couldnt i just switch to whey isolate instead? That has no sat fat at all in it.
Other than that, do you think the rest of her meal plan is a quack? The major red flags i see are the lack of protein for breakfast and lunch, the weird snack choice, and the restriction from things like fruits, greek yogurt, and low fat cheese.
I would definitely go to another doctor. And 1g of sat fats are fine. The larger concern is fried and processed foods are they lack nutrients. I would look into the Mediterranean Diet. Focusing on lean meats, eggs, whole grains/oats, fruits and veggies (especially avocado), fish, seeds and nuts, and limiting processed foods and you will be in a good position.
Also, how did they determine that you had plague build up? That LDL isn't that high. Do you know how your triglycerides and fasting glucose look?
And no doctor should be pedaling products. They drives a conflict of interest and may not be best for your health.
Yes im just starting to research Mediterranean. Sounds way more doable. Having a cheat meal once a week or every 2 weeks could help too.
Not sure about triglycerides she didnt mention. But i know my glucose is within normal range so thats no issue. Good question about the plaque. What she did was place her stethoscope on my carotid, asked me to take a deep breath and hold it for a brief period, and she said she could hear a little bit of the carotid "bruit".
Other than that, we also did EKGs, echocardiogram, stress test, and pulmonary test. All turned out normal.1 -
@sbrno1985 I feel like this thread and the red flag thread crossed over at some point.
Please get thee to an accredited professional with a higher ethical standard and level of nutritional knowledge for your symptoms. Stat.
At this point, a second opinion on the blood work altogether is also a good move.
most definitely. I'm gonna try and book a dietician for next week. Meanwhile i think I'll try out Mediterranean while limiting processed/cheat foods.7 -
Your medical doctor has a side Amway business?
On the basis of the above datum I would seek a second confirmatory opinion as to the treatment they recommended while also seeking to verify their credentials.
Yep. I had no idea. I found that out during our appointment. She showed me her $46 plant based protein powder (2 scoops = 10g) and said i should take 1 scoop per day. I showed my whey protein from Myprotein, she said its no good because its 1g saturated fat
Not for nothing but I've read that plant protein powder tastes like crap. If the whey is no good then couldnt i just switch to whey isolate instead? That has no sat fat at all in it.
Other than that, do you think the rest of her meal plan is a quack? The major red flags i see are the lack of protein for breakfast and lunch, the weird snack choice, and the restriction from things like fruits, greek yogurt, and low fat cheese.
I would definitely go to another doctor. And 1g of sat fats are fine. The larger concern is fried and processed foods are they lack nutrients. I would look into the Mediterranean Diet. Focusing on lean meats, eggs, whole grains/oats, fruits and veggies (especially avocado), fish, seeds and nuts, and limiting processed foods and you will be in a good position.
Also, how did they determine that you had plague build up? That LDL isn't that high. Do you know how your triglycerides and fasting glucose look?
And no doctor should be pedaling products. They drives a conflict of interest and may not be best for your health.
Yes im just starting to research Mediterranean. Sounds way more doable. Having a cheat meal once a week or every 2 weeks could help too.
Not sure about triglycerides she didnt mention. But i know my glucose is within normal range so thats no issue. Good question about the plaque. What she did was place her stethoscope on my carotid, asked me to take a deep breath and hold it for a brief period, and she said she could hear a little bit of the carotid "bruit".
Other than that, we also did EKGs, echocardiogram, stress test, and pulmonary test. All turned out normal.
Yea, that is a bit of a stretch. It seems like she was using her doctor status to sell you something. I would have a discussion with a GP and they can evaluate your full panel. If there is concerns, you can be sent to a lipidologist for a deeper evaluation.
And yes, you can certainly have a meal that a less healthy once in awhile. I don't consider that a cheat, as it can support your mental health and improve the sustainability of your diet. Just don't use it as an excuse to "binge".
As you research Mediterranean Diets, you should realize it's more of a concept as it encompasses a variety of foods (Spanish, Italian, Greek, etc..).8 -
Also, exercise may raise your Hdl. If you stopped exercising ‘cause of corona, that could be part of it. Starting to exercise again could help.3
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JessAndreia wrote: »What exactly do you mean by "lacking any protein source"? Not even plant proteins?
Protein is an important nutrient, so I don't understand how a doctor would recommend a diet where most meals lack protein.
So it goes like this. Her meal plan has 5 food groups.
Group 1 is fiber/healthy carbs...whole wheat toast (x2), multigrain bread, 5 oz whole wheat pasta, 1 boiled potato, 2 oz oatmeal, 5 oz corn, or 5 oz cooked legumes.
Group 2 is fruits. Group 3 is low fat/fat free yogurt, ricotta or cottage. Group 4 are whole protein sources like eggs, skinless chicken, etc. Group 5 is veggies.
For me she crossed out groups 2 and 3 completely.
BREAKFAST: 1 item from group 1, multivitamin
LUNCH: 1 item each from groups 1 and 5, multi vitamin, omega 3 plus.
DINNER: 1 item each from groups 1, 4, and 5. Omega 3 plus.
SNACK: 2 calcium magnesium tabs.
She also told me to have 1 protein smoothie a day with plant powder not whey. And she wanted me to buy her own expensive powder from her Amway business.
Just to clarify, groups 1 and 5 do have protein-containing foods. There is protein in foods like bread, pasta, corn, legumes, and vegetables. Not all of these are high protein foods and I think this diet sounds really sketchy, but you can get protein from plants too.2 -
Everyone posting before me have ably addressed the question of the 'doctor' and 'diet' she recommended. So let's address your stress. Find workouts you like and can do now while the gym is closed. Try them. Repeat.
I personally recommend yoga to everyone who is struggling with stress. It has helped me so much with mine. Adriene on YouTube is a good introduction for anyone looking to start. Good luck on your journey!5 -
@sbrno1985 Also curious is this is a general practitioner/PCP making these recommendations or if it is another style doctor such as a chiropractor like asked above. I cannot imagine an MD making such recommendations or selling protein powders at their office. Sounds sketchy to me. I agree with @Mithridites that addressing your stress sounds more important IMO. When I was in my 40's I went to ER over "heart" issues. Turns out I was just crazy stressed, nothing else wrong.3
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W... She didn't give me a calorie limit just a menu with choices and certain guidelines like aim for fat free or no saturated fats ...
...indicating her knowledge of nutritional needs and the latest science on the matter are sorely lacking.
1. You can be overweight, underweight or a normal weight eating whatever is on her list. The important thing is not what you eat but how much. Also, just because something is on or off her list does not mean its magically good or bad food.
2. The suspected link between dietary fat and serum cholesterol was greatly over hyped. More recent science indicates there is little link for most people. Only those who are genetically predisposed to have their serum cholesterol greatly affected by dietary cholesterol need to extremely limit dietary fats and those folks are only identified through trial and error research.
3. Fat is an important part of our daily diet and is necessary for proper maintenance of cells in our bodies. Poly- and mono-unsaturated fats are considered to be good fats to consume but we need some saturated fats as well. Current recommendations are to limit but not eliminate saturated fats in the diet. The only fats you should avoid are transfats which are artificially created through hydrogenation.
To learn more about nutrition -- easily more than your PCP knows -- go to https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/ Start with the "What should I eat?" and go from there. For specific information about dietary fats, look at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/ and https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2012/06/21/ask-the-expert-healthy-fats/
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JessAndreia wrote: »What exactly do you mean by "lacking any protein source"? Not even plant proteins?
Protein is an important nutrient, so I don't understand how a doctor would recommend a diet where most meals lack protein.
So it goes like this. Her meal plan has 5 food groups.
Group 1 is fiber/healthy carbs...whole wheat toast (x2), multigrain bread, 5 oz whole wheat pasta, 1 boiled potato, 2 oz oatmeal, 5 oz corn, or 5 oz cooked legumes.
Group 2 is fruits. Group 3 is low fat/fat free yogurt, ricotta or cottage. Group 4 are whole protein sources like eggs, skinless chicken, etc. Group 5 is veggies.
For me she crossed out groups 2 and 3 completely.
BREAKFAST: 1 item from group 1, multivitamin
LUNCH: 1 item each from groups 1 and 5, multi vitamin, omega 3 plus.
DINNER: 1 item each from groups 1, 4, and 5. Omega 3 plus.
SNACK: 2 calcium magnesium tabs.
She also told me to have 1 protein smoothie a day with plant powder not whey. And she wanted me to buy her own expensive powder from her Amway business.
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I'm 35/male, 5'8, 160 lbs. I dont smoke/drink.
I went to a cardiologist because i had some shortness of breath episodes on/off for like 2 weeks on left side of my chest, but it subsided. She told me My LDL is high at 123, HDL is low 34. I also have a "minimal" plaque in my carotid arteries.
I've been stressed this year and haven't took my eating habits seriously (mcdonalds, pizza, soda, etc). Not every day but enough. I couldn't go to the gym because they were closed most of the year
So this doc said she's gonna treat this with lifestyle change. ...
I'm generally all for lifestyle changes as a first attempt whenever possible.
I had a lot of stress this year too - the pandemic, lost my job in mid-June, found out my anemia was out of control in late June, had one blood transfusion at an ER and four scheduled iron infusions over the last few months.
Oh, and an Urgent Care visit in July because my primary WAY overprescribed an iron supplement which caused me agonizing stomach pain >.<
After that Urgent Care visit, I started having tightness in my chest. EKG and cardiac enzymes normal. But still, cardiac issues are nothing to mess around with. I was 99% convinced it was stress, and sure enough, after I decreased consumption of caffeine and news, upped yoga, and continued with therapy, the chest tightness went away (although I did continue to get pangs from time to time, almost always when listening to the news.)
Oh, I was also unable to exercise for a period of time due to the anemia, and regular exercise is crucial to my mental health.
I encourage you to get a second opinion, and discuss normal lifestyle changes with that person.
Unrelated to the above, my regular doctor did not make dietary recommendations to me - she referred me to a registered dietitian.5 -
HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »W... She didn't give me a calorie limit just a menu with choices and certain guidelines like aim for fat free or no saturated fats ...
...indicating her knowledge of nutritional needs and the latest science on the matter are sorely lacking.
1. You can be overweight, underweight or a normal weight eating whatever is on her list. The important thing is not what you eat but how much. Also, just because something is on or off her list does not mean its magically good or bad food.
2. The suspected link between dietary fat and serum cholesterol was greatly over hyped. More recent science indicates there is little link for most people. Only those who are genetically predisposed to have their serum cholesterol greatly affected by dietary cholesterol need to extremely limit dietary fats and those folks are only identified through trial and error research.
3. Fat is an important part of our daily diet and is necessary for proper maintenance of cells in our bodies. Poly- and mono-unsaturated fats are considered to be good fats to consume but we need some saturated fats as well. Current recommendations are to limit but not eliminate saturated fats in the diet. The only fats you should avoid are transfats which are artificially created through hydrogenation.
To learn more about nutrition -- easily more than your PCP knows -- go to https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/ Start with the "What should I eat?" and go from there. For specific information about dietary fats, look at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/ and https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2012/06/21/ask-the-expert-healthy-fats/
You’re my spirit animal 👏🏻3 -
As a future medical provider, her comments and recommendations to you blow my mind and I would recommend you find a new provider who is going to have your best interests at heart.4
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30 years ago when I first moved to town I went to a MD who was my parents’ neighbor. I weighed at low end normal BMI at the time. He sent me direct marketing for weight loss shakes. I didn’t go back, but yeah, it happens.3
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HeidiCooksSupper wrote: »W... She didn't give me a calorie limit just a menu with choices and certain guidelines like aim for fat free or no saturated fats ...
...indicating her knowledge of nutritional needs and the latest science on the matter are sorely lacking.
1. You can be overweight, underweight or a normal weight eating whatever is on her list. The important thing is not what you eat but how much. Also, just because something is on or off her list does not mean its magically good or bad food.
2. The suspected link between dietary fat and serum cholesterol was greatly over hyped. More recent science indicates there is little link for most people. Only those who are genetically predisposed to have their serum cholesterol greatly affected by dietary cholesterol need to extremely limit dietary fats and those folks are only identified through trial and error research.
3. Fat is an important part of our daily diet and is necessary for proper maintenance of cells in our bodies. Poly- and mono-unsaturated fats are considered to be good fats to consume but we need some saturated fats as well. Current recommendations are to limit but not eliminate saturated fats in the diet. The only fats you should avoid are transfats which are artificially created through hydrogenation.
To learn more about nutrition -- easily more than your PCP knows -- go to https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/ Start with the "What should I eat?" and go from there. For specific information about dietary fats, look at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/ and https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2012/06/21/ask-the-expert-healthy-fats/
I always inspired when I read your posts. I love the Harvard and Mayo Clinic Sites. Also, I sincerely appreciate that you cite your information sources.1 -
This has red flags all over it. First of all shortness of breath is not something to ignore. As far as the diet, 1/2 cup of beans will get you 5 g of protein - what's the point of the protein powder? except to enrich the seller?
I'm with Malted Tea - get a second opinion from someone with the initials MD after their name2 -
JessAndreia wrote: »What exactly do you mean by "lacking any protein source"? Not even plant proteins?
Protein is an important nutrient, so I don't understand how a doctor would recommend a diet where most meals lack protein.
So it goes like this. Her meal plan has 5 food groups.
Group 1 is fiber/healthy carbs...whole wheat toast (x2), multigrain bread, 5 oz whole wheat pasta, 1 boiled potato, 2 oz oatmeal, 5 oz corn, or 5 oz cooked legumes.
Group 2 is fruits. Group 3 is low fat/fat free yogurt, ricotta or cottage. Group 4 are whole protein sources like eggs, skinless chicken, etc. Group 5 is veggies.
For me she crossed out groups 2 and 3 completely.
BREAKFAST: 1 item from group 1, multivitamin
LUNCH: 1 item each from groups 1 and 5, multi vitamin, omega 3 plus.
DINNER: 1 item each from groups 1, 4, and 5. Omega 3 plus.
SNACK: 2 calcium magnesium tabs.
She also told me to have 1 protein smoothie a day with plant powder not whey. And she wanted me to buy her own expensive powder from her Amway business.
I think I would have a discussion with the local medical association as well as the management of clinic the doctor is associated with if not in a private practice.
Ethics issue.5
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